Day 237 of Week 34 August 2024
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| Spring Sunrise Along Route 125 Ripton, Vermont 16"x20" Acrylic In progress M. Flannery |
Frames.
It is very expensive to have artwork custom framed. This artist, and I believe many others, have to push our creativity to find inexpensive framing methods. An alternative is to sell artwork without a frame.
Unframed and without a mat, watercolors can be rolled and shipped in a hard cardboard mailing tube.
You can glue cotton canvas to hardboard. Hardboard is thin, easier to ship, and, will fit the thinner depth pre-made frames from big box stores or from rummage sales, and yard sales. Remove the print for your paintings. You can cut the hardboard to fit an old frame that isn't a standard artwork size.
Painting on solid primed wood is another alternative.
Yesterday on the way back from a thrift store donation drop off, I bought a nice wood decorative frame at yard sale. It fits my painting except for one wonky corner where the canvas is folded in thick. I can adjust that to fit.
Frames make a difference. As I return to painting regularly (or try to), I will begin with the painting in the photo above that has been waiting all these months. It needs the sunrise light added. I like it as it is, but a deal is a deal with my brain to continue with my original image.
The frame is thick wood with no dents or nicks in the frame. It is easy to find yard sale frames that are thin. The canvas depth on the frame in the photo is deep. I feel very lucky.
Ah, not lucky. I still remember arriving late to a big yard sale circa 1996 when I saw a man walking away with a very large gilded gorgeous ornate frame. My heart sank that I didn't get there before he did.
Old wood frames that are ornate are precious finds. If they have pieces missing or the wood is marred, restoring them to an acceptable appearance is, I believe, worth the time. The missing decoration sections can be replaced by making a mold from elsewhere on the frame and using that mold to make the missing piece.
Frame Your Weekend With Fun!
I love beautiful frames too and look for them in thrift stores. You can find some really nice one around not so great art! lol Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteDiane,
DeleteA good weekend to you as well
It was a surprise to hear at two different thrift stores, antique dealers asking for frames, and telling the clerks what they are interested in.
Love your painting. when we used to shop resale type stores there is a big one that always had lots and lots of frames-so much less expensive that way
ReplyDeleteKathy,
Deletei almost bought Klondike bars this afternoon after reading your blog. lol. I opted instead for fudgicles.
Boy do I know framing is expensive. Some of my cross stitch pics though I do want framed. Janice
ReplyDeleteJanice,
DeleteDick Blick online, their clearance section is a good source for framing materials.
Frames add a lot to artwork. I'm not very good at choosing them. Your painting will be even lovelier with the sunrise light added. I hope you show it to us.
ReplyDeleteI'll be cooking a simple dinner this evening and going to church tomorrow. World Peace is a definite prayer item. Have a good Sunday, Maywyn.
A good Sunday to you, Lorrie
DeleteSelecting the right frame can be as daunting as finding the right shoes or dress.
This painting is stunning. It really speaks to me. The frame is a wonderful find -- it looks terrific. You know the wonky parts but I wouldn't have seen it if you'd not mentioned it. The painting itself -- it could go in anything -- it's that beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJeanie,
DeleteStretching a canvas, the corners are really tricky. I know how it is done to minimize the bulk. Yet, now and then, there's a lumpy corner to deal with. Once do that corner over, the painting will fit the frame.
I've sometimes been asked why I don't frame my fabric landscapes and it comes down to cost, plus the issues with storage. I figure if someone buys one of my pieces and they want to frame it, it's up to them.
ReplyDeleteMaryanne,
DeleteYou have a good system. Allowing the owner to select a frame is the best way to go.
The shipping a framed painting like in the photo here would be expensive. An artwork shipping box to send a watercolor that I priced, was over a hundred dollars.
Frames are costly and, like yourself, I also check out thrift stores for any. A couple of years ago, I found 3 good quality ones that also had a mat with someone else’s photo framed. Recently, I ordered a few prints of photos from our trip abroad last year and this week repurposed those frames and we hung them this week.
ReplyDelete